>> I recently bought two new paddles. A wood Greenland paddle from Superior Kayaks, and an Eddyline Windswift. The latter is a narrow blade, modern graphite ultralight. I have studied Greenland technique from VanDoren's video and have been practicing same with both paddles, both of which are terrific. It is really true that sculling moves are easier with the wood paddle. But for long distance travel the light weight of the graphite makes a big difference and it is my preferred tool. I use the same low stroke advocated by VanDoren with both. This technique is really the way to go with either paddle. I lose the benefit of the narrow blade with a conventional high stroke. Any thoughts? Jerry >> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Actually, the Greenlanders do use the high stroke when they are in a hurry or using a storm paddle. The Wind Swift was my favorite paddle until I made my first Greenland paddle, but I haven't used it for several years now. I don't know what kind of wood Mark Rogers uses for his paddles, but my Greenland paddles made from Western red cedar are almost as light as my Wind Swift, and I find them more comfortable to paddle and roll with. My spare is a Greenland storm paddle that I keep on my foredeck. If necessary, I can grab it while upside down and roll up with it -- no assembly required, and it doesn't snag on the bungies as the Wind Swift would. Mark Roger's paddles are a bit unconventional for Greenland paddles in that they lack shoulders, but they should work the same as other Greenland paddles. Whatever paddle you use, though, I think it is worth learning the Greenland style. One of the local instructors actually incorporates Greenland technique into his basic lessons. (In fact, three out of the four local ACA- and BCU-trained instructors I know prefer the Greenland paddle.) Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net ***************************************************************************
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